Robyn's Blog : Enticements

McPhDs - is this the future?

robyn.owens — Mon, 11 May 2009 06:12:00 GMT

A very interesting article on the ABC website today. See

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/11/2566534.htm

Time for a new image

robyn.owens — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:18:00 GMT

I think it's time to update some of the photos featuring research students "creating new knowledge or innovatively re-interpreting existing knowledge" as featured on the Graduate Research School website. So over the next couple of weeks I invite you to upload some of your favourite photos of yourself, or your friends, undertaking research. I look forward to a variety of activities, venues, and sources of inspiration. The top 10 photos, as judged by the mRS team, will be featured on the GRS site for the next 12 months, and the best photo, as judged by you, will win a prize (yet to be determined). Snap away.

Free movie passes!

robyn.owens — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:02:00 GMT

Courtesy of the University Club, I have 42 free double passes to give away to see the movie The Lives of Others this weekend.

The movie is described as a "startling political thriller" and it won the European Film Awards 2006 for Best Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor.

The tickets are valid Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March (but not after 5pm on Saturday) at Luna Leederville and Luna on SX Cinemas.

And if you are not already a member of the University Club, remember that postgraduates can join up with the joining fee waived and an annual subscription of $220. It's a great place to hang out, meet up with colleagues or supervisors, use the wireless broadband Internet, or to hold meetings.

Tickets go to the first 42 myResearchSpace readers to present themselves at the front counter of the Graduate Research and Scholarships Office in Hackett Hall. I look forward to reading the reviews.

Life's full of tough decisions - which camera to win?

robyn.owens — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:41:00 GMT

The Graduate Research School announced today that a prize will be awarded for the most interesting blog appearing on myResearchSpace. The blog that records the most reads and comments between now and the next Graduate Research Induction (March 2007) will receive a new model compact digital camera.

Since all blogs tend to accumulate reads the longer they are there, we will weight reads:comments in the proportion 20:80. So if you think someone's blog is really good, get in there and join the conversation.

Each year we hold two Induction ceremonies for the incoming candidates: one in March and one in August. They are a combination of serious info and partying. Each Induction has a quiz prize that's fought out between the new candidates there; it's usually an iPod, given to the candidate who's quiz answer sheet is the first correct entry drawn.

But it's nice to have some of the candidates who are further into their research there too, and at the August Induction we announce the prizes for the best publications. It will be good to balance that now with a prize at the March Induction, open to all candidates who have been enrolled at least at some time between now (November 2nd) and March 1st 2007. (So if you are currently enrolled and submit your thesis before Christmas, you'll still be eligible.)

The question is, though, which camera? We thought a digital camera would be a good blogging accessory. I'm prepared to spend up to $500 - what's your preferred make and model?